Composition and method for the production of alloys



Patented Nov. 17, 1953 COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ALLOYS Frank Alden Miller, Buil'alo, N. Y., assignor to Iii-Loy Company, Inc., Bufialo, N. Y.

No Drawing. Application July 3, 1950, Serial No. 172,011

ecl'eime. (01. 75-129) This invention relates to a method of and means for changing the molecular structure-of metals, such as iron or steel.

By way of background, the deficiencies of cast iron, steel or like metals with respect to the bearing characteristics thereof are well known in the art. For example, cast iron in general will not wear compatibly against other cast iron. And in other instances, many steels will not be capable of bearing against other metals without wear setting in with notable rapidity.

It is an important object of the present invention to eliminate or at least appreciably reduce these undesirable characteristics.

A further important object is to provide a method of and means for changing the molecular structure of cast iron or steel which will increase the flexibility of the end product and will improve its tensile strength.

Still another object is to provide a method and means of the character described that is capable of application during the carrying out of standard foundry or rolling mill practices.

Other objects and advantages, will become apparent in the description and claims to follow.

In accordance with the present invention I provide a composition ofmatter comprising the elements titanium, columbium, tellurium, and rhodium in the following proportions, by weight: 49% titanium, 49% columbium, 1% tellurium, and 1% rhodium.

These elements, when selected, should be of commercially pure quality.

I form the four components into small slugs. by melting them together, and a two ounce slug, for example, is used to treat one short ton of iron or steel. Such a slug is added to the iron or steel while it is in a molten state.

I have found that when so added, the composition of matter comprising the present invention causes the entire mass to ei'lervesce and also produces a short temporary temperature increase.

The molten metal is then handled in accordance with standard foundry or rolling mill practice to produce the end product.

When added to the molten metal, the composition acts, I have found, to change the molecular structure of said metal and it is this that changes the surface characteristics of the metal so as to improve the bearing qualities thereof. Thus, cast iron treated with the composition will wear compatibiy against other cast iron, and this has not previously, been possible to my knowledge. The bearing capabilities of steel are similarly improved.

Further, flexibility of the product is increased, as is tensile strength.

Although the invention has been stated in its preferred form herein, it will be appreciated that I do not desire to limit myself to said form except as necessarily required by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

'1. The herein described method of changing the molecular structure of ferrous metals which includes while maintaining a mass of such a metal in a molten state introducing thereinto for each short ton of such mass two ounces of an alloy comprising 49.% titanium, 49%co1umbium, 1% tellurium and 1% rhodium.

2. A composition for addition to molten fer- .rous metals comprising an alloy which comprises 49% titanium, 49% columbium, 1% tellurium and 1% rhodium.

FRANK A. MILLER.

References Cited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 724,140 Stevenson Mar. 31. 1903 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 718,822 Germany Mar. 24. 1942 

2. A COMPOSITION FOR ADDITION TO MOLTEN FERROUS METALS COMPRISING AN ALLOY WHICH COMPRISES 49% TITANIUM, 49% COLUMBIUM 1% TELLURIUM AND 1% RHODIUM. 